Before we start I know just how precious your time is. So if you don't have time to sit and read through this post then have a listen while you're doing your jobs.

I'm guessing that if you're reading this then you are a pet bsuiness owner that feels overwhelmed with the never ending to do list. It's easy to feel like you're constantly playing catch-up. And if you're running your business by yourself, without any staff there's always something that needs doing to do and never enough time to do it. Running a pet business is hard especailly when there's no one to delegate stuff to. But the good news is that, as a solo pet business owner myself I've found ways to be more productive and get ahead of the game. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Make a list of everything you need to do.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's actually an important first step. A lot of times, we feel overwhelmed because we're trying to keep track of everything in our head. Writing it down (or keeping it in a digital list) will help you organize your thoughts and see exactly what needs to be done. And the chances are once you start writing you'll keep remebering more things that need to be done. If you're short on time set a 10 minute timer to see how mnay things you can write down.

2. Prioritise tasks

With your to-do list work out which things are the most important jobs you need to do and how urgent are they? Put the tasks in order of priority. And then make a rough guess of how much time each task should take you and make a note. You'll be able to see which ones are you putting off because they're not that important and which you're putting off because they would take too long.

3. Set realistic goals for each day/week/month.

Part of being productive is knowing what you can realistically accomplish in a given period of time. If you try to take on too much at once, you'll only end up feeling frustrated and stressed out. So, take a step back and figure out what you can reasonably accomplish in the time frame you have available. Then, make sure to schedule breaks so that you don't burn yourself out. And if something comes up that throws off your schedule, don't be afraid to adjust your goals accordingly.

4. Limit distractions

Once you have your plan in place of when you are free to work on those important tasks you identified then make sure that's what you do. It's easy to get distracted as you suddently rememeber you've not emailed a customer back. Or you might be distracted byt the social media notifications that keep popping up. During your focused task time swith off notifications or remove yourself from the distractions. If you are usually distracted by responding to customers or you enjoy scrolling on social media than plan in set times during the day where you can do that.

5. Make time for yourself and have a break

It's important to remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your business—maybe even more so! When you don't make time for yourself, it's easy to get burned out both mentally and physically—and that's not good for anyone (including your business). So, set aside some 'me' time every day/week/month—even if it's just 30 minutes here or there—to do something that makes YOU happy (without thinking about work). It'll refresh and rejuvenate you so that you can come back to work feeling ready to take on whatever comes your way.

Being productive as a busy solo business owner is all about finding what works for YOU and then sticking with it (even when things get tough). Hopefully these tips will help get you started on the right track! Remember: baby steps are still steps in the right direction! And before long, you'll find yourself crossing things off your list left and right with ease!